Last updated on October 5, 2026
If you’re facing infertility issues, you’re far from alone. The World Health Organization estimates that around one in six adults worldwide experience infertility in their lifetime. You might have already heard of sea moss while exploring nutrition and reproductive health.
Already popular in Caribbean sexual-wellness traditions, this golden seaweed with its appealing everyday uses is also creating online buzz around fertility and nutrition.
So, let’s find out, debunk the myths, and focus on what science has to say about sea moss and fertility.
Related article: How can sea moss improve your sexual life?
What is Sea Moss?
Sea moss is an edible red seaweed. Irish moss, or Chondrus crispus, grows along northern Atlantic coasts, while other red seaweeds are enjoyed in Caribbean food traditions. Organics Nature’s Saint Lucian raw sea moss and gel use Eucheuma cottonii; our Irish sea moss capsules use Chondrus crispus.
In the United States, sea moss has long been harvested primarily for its high content of carrageenan used to thicken foods and drinks. You might have come across sea moss in processed foods like ice creams, smoothies, baked goods, or others.
But in Ireland and the Caribbean, sea moss has long been enjoyed for its health and wellness traditions. Indeed, this surprising edible seaweed is celebrated for its 92-of-102 mineral profile and variety of naturally occurring nutrients. As such, it’s a superfood with plenty of possibilities for your kitchen and daily routine.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, sea moss became one of the trending products in the health and wellness market. Its food heritage and nutritional appeal brought this traditional ingredient to a whole new audience. Enjoying nourishing foods is a useful part of looking after yourself alongside appropriate infection prevention and care.
But that’s not it. Besides inspiring skincare routines, sea moss is drawing attention from people exploring nutrition while trying to conceive.
So, where does sea moss fit into nutrition for women and men preparing for pregnancy?
Sea Moss and Fertility in Women
Besides cultural beliefs and consumers’ success stories, the fertility conversation often centers on four nutrients important to reproductive health: folate, iodine, zinc, and iron. Irish moss contains naturally occurring nutrients that make it an interesting addition to a varied diet. Let’s look at what the cited studies actually found and how to plan a routine that suits you.
Related article: Top 10 Benefits of Sea Moss for Women
Sea moss is a natural source of folate
What woman exploring pregnancy planning has not heard of folic acid? Folate is vitamin B9; folic acid is the form used in many supplements and fortified foods. Folate supports cell division, and getting the recommended folic acid before and during early pregnancy helps protect a baby’s developing brain and spine. It deserves a place in your pregnancy-planning conversation.
A 2012 study[1] followed 259 regularly menstruating women and found that higher intake of folic acid from fortified foods was associated with a lower likelihood of a cycle without ovulation. For pregnancy planning, NIH guidance recommends 400 micrograms of folic acid daily from supplements and/or fortified foods, in addition to the natural folate in a varied diet. Your clinician can advise on your individual needs.
Irish moss contains natural folate. The USDA’s raw Irish moss entry lists 182 micrograms of folate per 100 grams of raw Chondrus crispus. That’s about 30% of the pregnancy recommendation of 600 micrograms of dietary folate equivalents (DFE). It’s a useful food-composition example; our Saint Lucian raw sea moss is Eucheuma cottonii, and prepared gels have their own serving sizes and composition.
Adding sea moss to your diet is an enjoyable way to bring variety to your meals while you follow your pregnancy-planning nutrition advice. Keep the recommended folic acid in your plan, too—natural food folate and supplemental folic acid have different roles in that guidance.
Related article: Can you take sea moss while pregnant or breastfeeding?
A helpful serving note: the figures above describe a 100 g food-composition reference, not a suggested daily sea moss portion. Our ready-made gel’s serving is two tablespoons (30 g). Find out more about how much sea moss to take daily, and ask your maternity clinician about including it while trying to conceive or during pregnancy.
Iodine and women’s fertility
A review of iodine and fertility[2] explores how adequate iodine supports thyroid function and reproductive health. Research has linked iodine deficiency with reduced chances of conception, making iodine intake worth discussing when you’re planning a pregnancy.
Iodine is a mineral that the body can’t produce. It’s essential for thyroid hormone production and comes from food or supplements. The general U.S. population has adequate iodine intake overall, but some people—especially during pregnancy or with diets low in iodine-containing foods—may need help meeting their needs.
A 2018 research summary[3] describes a prospective study of women trying to conceive: women with an iodine-to-creatinine ratio below 50 micrograms per gram had 46% lower odds of pregnancy in each menstrual cycle than women with adequate iodine status. This finding highlights the importance of iodine status; the study observed women’s iodine levels rather than testing sea moss as a fertility treatment.
Sea moss naturally contains iodine, which is one reason seaweed gets attention in the nutrition conversation. Meeting your iodine needs supports normal thyroid function—an important part of reproductive wellbeing. Your clinician can help you plan intake from food and your prenatal supplement.
However, more iodine isn’t always better. U.S. daily iodine recommendations are 150 micrograms for nonpregnant adults, 220 during pregnancy, and 290 while breastfeeding. Seaweed’s iodine content varies by species and preparation, so two tablespoons of gel should not be treated as a fixed 150-microgram iodine dose. Follow your product serving and review your total iodine intake with your clinician, especially if you have a thyroid condition.
Choose sea moss with a clear origin and careful preparation. Organics Nature’s sea moss is wildcrafted from Saint Lucia, hand harvested, and sun dried. We love the natural purity and character that come with this approach. Our wildcrafted sea moss guide explains what to look for when choosing your sea moss.
Organics Nature’s Mango Pineapple Sea Moss Gel combines wildcrafted Saint Lucian sea moss, real mango, pineapple, and filtered water—an easy, delicious addition to your routine!
Zinc and iron support reproductive health
Another key nutrient in reproductive nutrition is zinc. The daily recommendation for women aged 19 and older is 8 mg, increasing to 11 mg during pregnancy and 12 mg while breastfeeding. Trying to conceive alone doesn’t change the standard adult recommendation; a clinician can help tailor your plan.
There are about 2 mg of zinc per 100 g in the USDA’s raw Irish moss entry. This helps explain the interest in seaweed’s nutrient composition. Build your zinc intake across a nutritionally balanced diet, with foods such as beans, nuts, seeds, seafood, and meat as appropriate for you. Enjoy normal food portions and consider how they fit together across the day.
A 2019 study[4] examined selenium, copper, and zinc concentrations in early pregnancy in 1,060 women. It observed a tendency toward a longer time to pregnancy among women with lower zinc, alongside a clearer association for selenium. These observations are interesting for reproductive nutrition. Zinc also plays a role in normal cell division and reproductive processes, so getting enough is a sensible goal.
Iron also deserves attention in reproductive nutrition. A study of 18,555 women[5] found that iron-supplement users had a lower risk of ovulatory infertility than nonusers; nonheme iron intake was also associated with lower risk. This was an observational study, so the useful takeaway is to discuss your iron needs and any deficiency with your clinician, who can recommend foods or supplements suited to you.
With 8.9 mg of iron per 100 g in the USDA’s raw Irish moss entry, this seaweed offers an interesting food-composition comparison. A 100 g portion of cooked chicken breast generally provides much less iron, although the amount depends on the preparation. Your overall diet and actual portion sizes are what matter when planning your intake.
Related article: Can sea moss help with menstruation and ovarian disorders?
These nutrients, studies, and food traditions offer encouraging reasons to take your nutrition seriously while trying to conceive. A balanced eating routine can be a positive step you share with your partner. Why not invite them to your sea moss morning smoothies while you work with your fertility-care team?
Sea Moss and Male Fertility
In the Caribbean and especially in Jamaica, sea moss has been used as a sex elixir for men for centuries. It’s believed to increase libido, enhance sexual desire and pleasure, and improve erectile function.
Anecdotes and folk traditions also link Jamaican sea moss with male fertility, testosterone, and sperm count. These are useful questions to explore through the broader role of nutrition and reproductive health.
Does sea moss increase sperm count?
Folate is important for normal cell division, including the processes involved in reproduction. When looking at sperm count and quality, your overall nutrition, health, and individual circumstances deserve attention. If conception is taking longer than expected, a semen analysis and a conversation with a clinician can help guide the next steps.
More importantly, zinc plays a role in normal testosterone function. The cited study[6] reported higher free testosterone in football players taking a specific zinc–magnesium–B6 supplement for eight weeks. Its results concern that formula and population. As we’ve seen above, raw Irish moss contains about 2 mg zinc per 100 g, and can be considered alongside other foods when planning a varied diet.
Here’s an important detail: testosterone levels alone don’t tell you a man’s fertility or sperm count. Testosterone is needed for sperm production, which also depends on hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). If you’re trying to conceive, discuss any testosterone treatment with your clinician, because taking testosterone can suppress sperm production.
Ultimately, nutrition and sexual wellbeing are both worth nurturing when you’re trying for a baby. Enjoy the sea moss traditions around vitality and intimacy alongside good food, rest, and time together. And we all know sex is a key ingredient in the baby recipe—though fertility care may involve other routes, too!
Finally, sea moss can be an enjoyable ingredient in a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet. Looking after both partners’ nutrition is a constructive part of preparing for pregnancy, alongside any care you need.
FAQ About Sea Moss and Fertility
Here’s a series of frequently asked questions about taking sea moss for fertility purposes. Feel free to ask yours in the comment section below!
How to take sea moss for fertility?
The most common way to enjoy sea moss is to eat it regularly. Organics Nature’s Mango Pineapple Sea Moss Gel has a two-tablespoon (30 g) serving and combines beautifully with smoothies, oats, and yogurt. It’s made with wildcrafted sea moss and real fruit, and comes with our 30-day money-back guarantee. When planning a pregnancy, ask your clinician how it fits with your prenatal vitamins or zinc supplements rather than stacking products on your own.
Our Organic Irish Sea Moss Capsules with Bladderwrack and Burdock Root are very convenient. A two-capsule serving contains 1,000 mg Irish sea moss, 300 mg bladderwrack, and 200 mg burdock root, so you know the ingredient amounts you’re taking. This is the product’s adult serving, not a fertility-treatment dose. Because it’s an herbal blend, check its suitability with your clinician while trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Make your routine work for you: stick to the recommended serving and consider iodine from all your foods and supplements. Your clinician can help you choose an appropriate plan during pregnancy planning, especially if you have a thyroid condition or take medication.
Can you take sea moss with prenatal vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins contain nutrients important for a healthy pregnancy. Talk to your maternity clinician before combining them with sea moss or an herbal blend, and bring the ingredient labels to your appointment. This makes it easier to account for iodine, iron, zinc, and other nutrients across your whole routine. Keep your recommended prenatal vitamin in place, and avoid adding extra minerals without advice.
Related article: Is it better to take sea moss at night or in the morning?
Can sea moss help with PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal and metabolic condition that can affect ovulation and is a common cause of infertility. Enlarged ovaries or visible follicles aren’t present in everyone. Lifestyle changes and appropriate treatment can help. For meals, choose a varied pattern with vegetables, fruit, whole grains, protein, and healthy fats, and limit excess added sugar. A sea moss drink can fit into that food routine while your clinician helps with ovulation and other symptoms.
Does bladderwrack also have benefits for fertility?
Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) is a brown seaweed, related to other brown algae such as kelp. It also appears in traditional wellness discussions about reproductive health and is included in our Irish sea moss capsule blend. Its iodine content and herbal uses make it worth discussing with your clinician when planning pregnancy.
One 2004 case report[7] followed three premenopausal women with menstrual-cycle problems taking bladderwrack. The researchers observed longer menstrual cycles and changes in estrogen and progesterone in one participant. It’s an interesting early observation about hormones and seaweed, rather than a study of conception rates or our capsule blend. Use it as a conversation starter with your clinician, not a reason to adjust hormones yourself.
References:
[1] Gaskins AJ, Mumford SL, Chavarro JE, Zhang C, Pollack AZ, Wactawski-Wende J, et al. (2012) The Impact of Dietary Folate Intake on Reproductive Function in Premenopausal Women: A Prospective Cohort Study. PLoS ONE 7(9): e46276. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0046276
[2] Divya M Mathews, Neil P Johnson, Robert G Sim, Susannah O'Sullivan, Jane M Peart, Paul L Hofman, Iodine and fertility: do we know enough?, Human Reproduction, Volume 36, Issue 2, February 2021, Pages 265–274, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deaa312
[3] Kuehn B. Iodine Deficiency May Impair Fertility. JAMA. 2018;319(8):760. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.1291https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2673527
[4] Grieger, J.A.; Grzeskowiak, L.E.; Wilson, R.L.; Bianco-Miotto, T.; Leemaqz, S.Y.; Jankovic-Karasoulos, T.; Perkins, A.V.; Norman, R.J.; Dekker, G.A.; Roberts, C.T. Maternal Selenium, Copper and Zinc Concentrations in Early Pregnancy, and the Association with Fertility. Nutrients 2019, 11, 1609. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11071609
[5] Chavarro JE, Rich-Edwards JW, Rosner BA, Willett WC. Iron intake and risk of ovulatory infertility. Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Nov;108(5):1145-52. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000238333.37423.ab. PMID: 17077236. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17077236/
[6] L.R. BRILLA AND VICTOR CONTE. Effects of a Novel Zinc-Magnesium Formulation on Hormones and Strength. JEPonline, 3(4): 26-36, 2000. https://www.asep.org/asep/asep/BrillaV2.PDF
[7] Skibola CF. The effect of Fucus vesiculosus, an edible brown seaweed, upon menstrual cycle length and hormonal status in three pre-menopausal women: a case report. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2004 Aug 4;4:10. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-4-10. PMID: 15294021; PMCID: PMC514561.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC514561/